Opportunity Acquired
In an exciting announcement on January 9th, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Colleen Cibula shared the acquisition of our Council's Marlton Property by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The result of many months of coordination, this acquisition enabled the creation of an Outdoor Legacy Fund which will be used to expand outdoor program opportunities for Girl Scouts.
Learn more about this transaction and its immense impact in this press release provided to staff and in our website's newsroom.
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New Project Proposals
On January 30th, staff met with a panel of Girl Scouts Nation's Capital managers and senior leadership to formally propose their individual or group ideas for future Council initiatives. The participation was exceptional and this brainstorming endeavor is gearing up to be an astounding success!
Check out all the creative projects and their inventors below!
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Create a Podcast: Annette Rollins Riley
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Engage Girl Scout Alumnae: Stephanie Carlock
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Mental Health First Aide Training for Youth Members: Stephanie Budnicki
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Two Fundraising Special Events: Cheryl Osbourne
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Smithsonian Monthly Events: Membership Team 5 (presenter: Cheryl Osbourne)
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Bringing Back the Feeling of Girl Scouts event at camp: Membership Team 2 (presenters: Michael Fowle and Charlie Mecklenburg)
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Outdoor Education at our Camps: Rebecca Montague, Jade Harris, and Leah Glicker
A round applause for these innovative leaders! The implementation of each of these projects is being supported by designated members of our Council's staff leadership.
We look forward to seeing these ideas come to fruition through the powerful teamwork of Girl Scouts Nation's Capital staff!
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Tech Tips Suggestions
The easy-to-follow "Tech Tips" authored by Technology Support Specialist Kathy Beernink have become essential learning tools for Girl Scouts Nation's Capital staff.
Do you have suggestions for a future tip? Are there technology topics you'd like to learn more about? Contact Kathy to let her know!
And remember, submit your IT Ticket here when you need help.
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Cookie Season Success
This year's cookie season is smashing through goals left and right so far! The achievements of this entrepreneurial program are a testament to the skills and courage of our Girl Scouts and the support of our dedicated adult volunteers.
The expertise and facilitation of our Product Program team cannot be understated either. Thank you for your continued efforts!
Make sure to tune into updates from the Product Program and Marketing & Communications teams for success stories as the season wraps up in the next couple of weeks.
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Readers Wanted!
Organized by Senior Membership Operations Specialist Natalie Thibodeau and Customer Care & Technology Manager Erin Reynolds, a shiny new book club is here!
The club is currently compiling input from potential staff participants to decide on its plan of action. If you would like to join, please fill out this Jotform to indicate your interest!
On a related note: Erin calls on DC-based or visiting staff to donate to the DC Office Lending Library. The little bookshelf in the office's kitchen is happily accepting new additions!
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Celebration Potluck
On February 27th, staff gathered in the DC Office board rooms to celebrate Black History Month with a commemorative potluck!
The festive decorations, informational table cards, and topical conversations all contributed to valuable experiences for everyone.
Of course, the delicious staff-facilitated cuisine also played a key role in uniting Council employees in honoring and validating the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Black individuals and communities.
Thank you to all who helped set up, take down, or contribute dishes and drinks for the celebration! A special shoutout to Director of Human Resources Angela Baker for leading the event coordination.
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New Mileage Rate
As announced by Human Resources Manager Betsy West at the start of 2024, our Council has implemented in Company Mileage a new mileage reimbursement rate.
This is in accordance with the 2024 update for the optional standard mileage rate from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The new rate is 67 cents per business mile, an increase of 1.5 cents from 2023’s rate of 65.5 cents per mile for business-related travel.
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Treasure Hunting
As departments work to clean and organize the DC Office storage area located on floor G2, trinkets and memories of Girl Scout past continue to be uncovered.
Business Operations Manager Carrie Banachowski is placing notable items on the donations table in the DC Office kitchen for any who want them. Be sure to check in often to peruse the new finds!
Additionally, leftover office supplies are available to thrift from the Equipment Center team. If you're in need of wall hooks, light clips, picture hanging strips, or more, contact Equipment Center Driver Raphael Rocha to arrange a pick up!
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Language Possibilities
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility Manager Monica Brile is hard at work building connections to improve the access to, and engagement with, our Council's member opportunities.
Most recently, Monica was excited to announce a new partnership with Girl Scout Board Member Brigitta Toruño and her organization, UNO, to offer on-demand phone language interpretation and American Sign Language interpretation services for our Council's staff and members.
To learn more about these new interpretation opportunities check out this flyer and these slides.
Please reach out to Monica if you or your volunteers have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
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MARCH 1
Deadline: Senior Specialist Applications
MARCH 5
IDEA Committee Meeting
3:00-4:00 PM via Teams
Contact Angela Baker to join
MARCH 12
Girl Scouts 112th Birthday Celebration
1:00-2:00 PM in DC Office board rooms
All Staff Meeting
3:00-4:00 PM via Teams
MARCH 19
IDEA Committee Meeting
3:00-4:00 PM via Teams
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APRIL 2
IDEA Committee Meeting
3:00-4:00 PM via Teams
APRIL 9
All Staff Meeting
3:00-4:00 PM via Teams
APRIL 20
Annual Meeting
7:00 AM-1:00 PM
Metz Middle School, VA 20110
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Review the Council's current COVID-19 Guidelines here. Updated October 2023!
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Lorayn Aponte joined our Council as a new Team 2 Membership Specialist on February 5th.
Lorayn's previous role was a special events intern at Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Before that, Lorayn worked as an intern for the American Legislative Exchange Council.
She is also experienced in counseling from her time with Amigo Care as a Registered Behavior Technician.
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Additionally, Lorayn worked as a manager at Crumbl, where she led a team of 25 staff members. And, she recently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Towson University! | | |
Here are some of Lorayn's favorite things!
1. Sewing. "I love going to the fabric store and finding different fabrics to create some fun projects."
2. Reading. "I have a goal of reading 100 books this year."
3. Lego building. "I'm the oldest sibling to three boys so building Lego together is a great way for us to spend time together and create some cool builds."
4. Local cuisine. "I love going out and trying new foods in DC and Baltimore!"
5. Hiking. "Once spring starts rolling around, I love taking an early morning hike!"
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Another Run Done!
Human Resources Manager Betsy West shares her husband Michael's recent athletic achievement:
Michael ran the Lost Dutchman Marathon in Apache Junction, Arizona on February 18th.
He has completed marathons in 38 states and Washington, DC on the way to his goal of running 26.2 miles in all 50 states plus Washington, DC!
Image Left: Michael in a commemorative photo of his completed Lost Dutchman marathon.
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Share the good news!
Send celebrations to Human Resources to be included next time.
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Thin Mint Truffles
From Senior Membership Specialist Cheryl Osborne
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These tasty mint chocolate treats are made with Girl Scout cookies!
- Finely chop 1 box Thin Mint cookies in a food processer
- Add 4 ounces of cream cheese and process until mixed
- Shape into bite-sized balls
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and dip the thin mint balls into the melted chocolate to coat them
- Refrigerate and decorate as desired
For more recipes using Girl Scout cookies, check out these resources:
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"When you want a healthy, filling meal, you can’t beat a dish centered on salmon. For this healthy dish featuring potatoes,
Yukon Golds are great because they get crispy on the outside but completely creamy on the inside. A brush stroke or two
of balsamic glaze provides a rich color and a sweet finish to the roasted salmon."
View and save a PDF of the full recipe here.
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Share your favorite eats with your coworkers!
Send recipes to Human Resources to be included next time.
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Girl Scout Brownie Troop 11094 created more than 30 Valentines Day cards to give out at Hospice of the Chesapeake in Calvert County. | |
From planning how to bling their booth to cookie photoshoots, Girl Scout from Service Unit 54-5 are prepped and ready for this cookie season from their Cookie Rally event! | |
Mae Sue, a lifetime Girl Scout, turned 100 recently! Thank you to everyone who helped her celebrate by sending in a card or donating to her birthday fundraiser on Facebook. | |
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These "Girl Scout Proud" segments are featured from our social media.
Thank you to our Marketing and Communications team!
Click the buttons at the bottom of this newsletter to explore more.
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Coming Soon: Benefits Bites!
Based on staff requests, these short-format learning opportunities will be hosted by members of the Human Resources team throughout the year and will cover specific benefits available to Girl Scouts Nation's Capital staff.
Each virtual Benefits Bites session will focus on a single benefit topic and offer digestible information about the benefit. Whether you just want to learn more or have questions about what you already know, tuning in to a Benefits Bite on your topic of interest will be a great way to improve your understanding!
Which topic would you like to learn about first? Use the poll below to tell us!
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If you have other ideas for topics to cover in future Benefits Bites, email Human Resources Manager Betsy West with your suggestions!
Please keep in mind that you may contact Human Resources with questions at any time, and any member of the team will be happy to help.
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